LEBENSOHL 2NT/ THE RULE OF NINE
TODAY’S TOPICS
1) Lebensohl 2NT a) Definition b) Preemptor’s Suit Higher Ranking than Ours c) Preemptor’s Suit Lower Ranking than Ours d) We Want to Bid 3NT over Preempt
2) Rule of Nine a) Definition b) Examples c) Exceptions
Presented at Puritan Bridge Club Tuesday, 11/19/2019
IF THE BIDDING GOES… 2 Hearts, Double, Pass, ??? YOU HOLD x x x x x x K x x x x x x WHAT Should You Bid? 3 Diamonds
2 Hearts, Double, Pass, ??? YOU HOLD K K x x x K x x x x x x x WHAT Should You Bid? ALSO 3 Diamonds??
IF PARTNER HOLDS A x x x With First Hand You Want To Be In x 3 of a MINOR A x x A K Q J x With Second Hand You Want To Be In 3 NT
WHAT TO DO????
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LEBENSOHL 2NT *
Ken Lebensold
This Convention Is ONLY Applicable in This ONE Sequence…
(Partner) (You) Weak 2 Bid, Double, Pass, ???
* This Should NOT Be Confused With TWO Other Lebensohl Conventions: 1) Over No Trump Interference 2) In Response To Reverse Bids
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LEBENSOHL 2 NT WHEN YOUR SUIT IS LOWER RANKING THAN PREEMPTOR’S SUIT
2 Spades, Double, Pass, ??? (YOUR Suit Is Hearts)
0 – 7 HCP’s: Respond 2 NT (Artificial and Alertable) – Relay to 3 Clubs Doubler Bids 3 Clubs (Artificial and Alertable) You Bid 3 Hearts (To Play – WEAK) * 9 8 2 K 10 8 3 2 10 9 7 6 5 8 – 11 HCP’s: Respond 3 Hearts (Alert – NOT a Minimum Hand) K 6 4 A Q J 10 3 8 6 4 9 8
* NO ALERT
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LEBENSOHL 2 NT WHEN YOUR SUIT IS HIGHER RANKING THAN PREEMPTOR’S SUIT
2 Hearts, Double, Pass, ??? (YOUR Suit Is Spades)
0 – 7 HCP’s: 2 Spades (Natural and NO Alert) Q J 8 3 5 4 2 10 9 4 J 5 2
8 – 11 HCP’s: 2 NT (Alert) – Relay to 3 Clubs A K 8 6 3 3 Clubs (Alert) J 4 3 Spades (Alert – Invitational) 8 6 4 10 3 2
12+ HCP’s: Bid 3 Spades Directly A K 9 3 2 (Alert – Game Force) J 8 8 7 K Q 7 6
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LEBENSOHL 2 NT IF YOU WANT TO BE IN 3 NT
2 Spades, Double, Pass, ? ? ? A 8 3 2 NT (Alert) – Relay to 3 Clubs K J 7 3 Clubs (Alert) Q 5 4 3 3 NT (Alert – Points for 3 NT K 10 9 WITH a Spade Stopper)
9 5 2 A J 9 3 NT (Alert – Points for 3 NT K 8 7 with NO Spade Stopper) A J 10 3
DIRECT DENIES!!!
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THE RULE OF NINE Partner Makes a Takeout Double… Do We Leave It IN or Take It OUT???
1 Heart, Double, Pass, ? ? ? YOU HOLD 8 4 2 9 6 5 4 2 K J 4 7 6 The Rule of Nine # Cards in the Opponent’s Suit Plus # Honor Cards in the Opponent’s Suit (including the TEN) Plus Level of Contract . IF 9 or More PASS IF 8 or Less BID
In the Above Example - 5 Hearts + 0 Honors + 1 (Level of Bid) 6 = BID (probably 1 Spade)
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The Rule of Nine Examples 1 (Partner) (You) YOU HOLD 1 Diamond, 1 Heart, Pass 7 2 Pass, Double, Pass, ??? K J 8 6 2 J 8 9 7 6 2 5 + 2 + 1 = 8 EQUALS BID 2 Clubs
2 (Partner) (You) YOU HOLD 1 Spade, 2 Hearts, Pass 10 6 Pass, Double, Pass, ??? A 10 4 3 9 7 6 4 2 3 2
4 + 2 + 2 = 8 EQUALS BID Probably 2 Spades
3 (Partner) (You) YOU HOLD 1 Spade, 2 Hearts, Pass 7 Pass, Double, Pass, ??? A Q 10 8 7 K 8 5 3 6 5 4 5 + 3 + 2 = 10 EQUALS PASS
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The Rule of Nine Examples (continued)
4 (Partner) (You) YOU HOLD 2 Hearts, Double, Pass , ??? J 10 5 K Q 10 6 A 5 3 9 8 7 4 + 3 + 2 = 9 EQUALS PASS
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EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE OF NINE 1) The Rule of Nine Is NOT Something That You Use So That You Can Make a Unilateral Penalty Double. It Is ONLY Applicable When Partner’s Previous Bid Was a Double.
1 Spade, 2 Spades, 4 Spades YOU HOLD K J 8 3 4 + 2 + 4 = 10 6 2 NO PENALTY DOUBLE 8 4 J 9 7 3 2
2) IF You Hold 2 Cards with 2 Honors OR 3 Cards with 3 Honors…Subtract One from the Rule
K Q, K J, Q J, Q J 10, K Q J
3 Hearts, Double, Pass, ??? YOU HOLD 6 4 3 + 3 + 3 = 9 Q J 10 BUT Subtract 1 = 8 8 5 4 K 8 7 6 3
EQUALS BID 4 Clubs
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Reference Materials
“Slam Bidding Made Easier” by Marty Bergen
“How You Can Play Like an Expert (Without Having to Be One)” by Mel Colchamiro www.bridgebum.com
Contact Information – Bob Carvin
Email: [email protected] [email protected]
Phone: Cell 617-538-5437 Landline 508-238-4196
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